• Former Astros catcher Gregg Zaun retired. He’s better known for other stops in his long career, but he’s part of the Astros’ recent fruitless search for a good offensive catcher, hitting .220/.285/.311 in 2002 and 2003. (Sportsnet.ca)

• Alfonso Soriano signed with the Cubs the same year that Carlos Lee signed with the Astros, the Astros having pursued both free agents. While Lee is entering the final third of his six-year, $100 million deal, Soriano still has half of his eight-year, $136 million deal in front of him. With Soriano’s contract weighted toward the second half, there are serious questions about his value just like Lee’s. (Gordon Wittenmeyer, Chicago Sun-Times)